Football: CU Buffs' Derrick Webb enjoying leadership role

Linebacker is third on team with 37 tackles

Ask most players on the Colorado football team and they'll tell you that nobody hits harder than Derrick Webb.

A junior linebacker from Memphis, Webb has made more than a few opponents and teammates sore.

With the Buffs sitting at 1-4 during their bye week, Webb is proving to be more than just a big hitter, though. The 6-foot, 230-pounder is emerging as an emotional leader on and off the field.

"I just really started that," he said. "I usually try to let my play and my work ethic speak for me, but when I feel like it's time for something to be said, I don't have a problem speaking to my teammates, because I feel like I've earned that right and I've got respect in the locker room, so I'm able to do that."

When the season began, that role didn't figure to fall to Webb. The Buffs have two senior linebackers -- Jon Major and Doug Rippy -- who have exceptional ability to go along with their experience. That duo was highly regarded coming into the year.

Rippy, however, has played just 30 snaps all season after injuring his knee on Sept. 8 against Sacramento State. Major played just 28 snaps in the Buffs' loss to UCLA last week after a leg injury. He had been healthy up to that point, but was given a rest from time to time during the first four weeks.

"I have (become more of a leader) and it's been explicitly stated to me from my head coach (Jon Embree)," Webb said. "When I'm out there with Brady (Daigh) and Woodson (Greer), I'm the elder, I'm the veteran on the field."

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Webb has played like a veteran from the start of the season. In the opener against Colorado State, he had 12 tackles, a sack and three tackles at the line of scrimmage. He's currently third on the team with 37 tackles and is tied for the team lead with four third-down stops. His 275 defensive snaps is a team-high for linebackers (Major has 268 snaps).

"That's good for me. I'm getting more reps, more experience pretty much," said Webb, who started six games a year ago. "That works to my benefit.

"I think I've had some good games and I've had some average games. I'd rather have more games like the CSU game, 12 tackles, but I play hard on special teams and defense. If I evaluate from an effort standpoint, I'm happy with how I've been playing all year because I give my all every play."

That's part of why Webb has become a leader for the Buffs. CU has just eight seniors on the roster and only four of those play defense. Of the four, two -- Rippy and safety Ray Polk -- have been sidelined with injuries most of this year. That has left CU in desperate need of some leadership from its other classes, and Webb has filled that void.

"I didn't really see myself coming into this role; it just kind of happened naturally, but I'm definitely comfortable with it and I embrace it," he said.

Looking forward, Webb is likely to get some senior help soon. The Buffs are off this week and don't play again until Thursday when Arizona State comes to Folsom Field. By then, Major, Polk and Rippy are all expected to be healthy and ready to play. If they are, it'll be the first time the Buffs will have their three starting linebackers on the field at once since very early in the Sacramento State game.

"We've been talking about it all offseason, the things we'll be able to do with all three of us out there playing," Webb said. "I feel like we complement each other so well."

Even with Major and Rippy on the field by his side, Webb said he won't back down from his new role as a leader.

"I continue to play my game and continue to try to bring guys along the best way I can," he said. "There's nothing wrong with having emotional leaders."

In fact, having emotional leaders may be of utmost importance to the Buffs as they look ahead to the final seven games of the season. Webb hopes to play well on a personal level, but he also hopes his leadership can keep his teammates confident and keep their heads up throughout the remainder of the season.

"What's more important to me is the mental aspect of it," Webb said. "I want to make sure guys are ready to go, ready to play, ready to finish out this season strong and know that we've still got a goal to accomplish. As long as I can get that into them and hold that mindset and spread it around the locker room, I feel like our season will be able to finish out pretty strong."

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